Top-spinning device



(No Model.)

W. PEARSON.

TOP SPINNING DEVICE.

No. 269,455. Patented'Dec. 19, 1882.

Fig.

I JNVENTOR:

WI TNESS E36 6% U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM PEARSON, OF LIN WOOD, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOP-SPINNING DEVICE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,455, dated December 19, 1882.

Application filed September 7, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM PEARSON, a citizen of the .United States, residing in Linwood, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Top-Spinning Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my inventionis to spin a top without resorting to the usual plan of wrapping a cord round a part of the same; and this object I attain in the manner which [will now proceed to describe, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved top and spinning appliances connected therewith; Fig. a perspective view of the handle used in spinning the top, and Figs. 3 and 4 views representing modifications of my invention.

The handleA may be. constructed in different ways, but must always present a guide for the spinning cord B and a device for imparting friction thereto. The shape of the top is immaterial; but itinust always have a grooved pulley, a, to receive the cord and an axial orifice to receive the pin bat the end of the handle; or the handle may have a sleeve or bear ing for receiving a central pin on the top, as shown in Fig. 3. The handle shown in Fig. 1 consists of a simple bent, wire, the loop 6 of which is of proper shape for being grasped by the hand; but in Fig. 2 the same wire is attaehed to a wooden handle. In both cases the wire is bent to form a loop, (I, which afi'ords a bearing for the cord B, the latter being guided laterally partly by the vertical portions f f of the bent wire and partly by the hooked end of the portion mot the wire, which isa spring, and may be part of the handle, as shown in Fig. 1.

In using the device the cord is passedbeneath the hooked end of the spring m and the hearing, against which the cord is so pressed by the said spring as to produce the desired Iriction. The pin bofthehandleisthenintroduced into the central orifice of the top, the cord passed round the pulley a and held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by one hand, while the handle is held in the other, the main portion of the cord hanging loosely down' from the point where it enters the friction device. This is the condition of the several parts immediately before spinning, the top being held above the surface on which ithas to be spun, and thecord, which is held comparatively tight, keeping the top from falling. The cord is now pulled quickly in the direction of the arrow, and the top is consequently rapidly rotated on the pin I) until the said cord has been pulled away, when the top will fall and continue to rotate on the surface which it reaches.

As before remarked, the handle admits of being constructed in different ways, so as to form a guide for the cord and produce friction therein. For instance, the handle may consist of a strip of metal, to, with two or three holes to receive and guide the cord, a spring in the form of a tongue, m, being applied to create triction on the cord; or the friction may be created by pressing by the hand which holds the handle a non-elastic tongue or projection against the cord; but automatic friction is in all cases to be preferred.

Many other modifications of a handle possessing the characteristics described will readily suggest themselves to expert mechanics.

1 claim as my invention 1. A top-spinning handle in which are combined the following elements, namely: first, a guide for a spinning-cord; second, a device for imparting friction to the said cord; and, third, a pin or bearing on or in which a top can be rotated, substantially as specified.

2. The within-described top, in which a body of any desired form iscombined with a grooved pulley. substantially as specified.

3. The combination of a handle presenting a guide or guides for a cord, and a device for imparting friction to the same, with a top and a grooved pulley, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofl have signed my name to this specification in the presence-oftwo subscribing witnesses.

, \VILLIAM PEARSON. Witnesses:

HARRY DRURY, H. D. TURNER. 

